Aquarium system and methods

ABSTRACT

An aquarium system includes a tank, a motion sensor, and a light source. The motion sensor is adapted to sense motion within a predetermined distance from the tank. The light source has a controllable intensity projecting light into the tank. The intensity varies responsive to motion sensed by the motion sensor. When the motion sensor senses movement, the light is on at 100% intensity. After some period of no-motion, such as about 60 seconds, the lighting slowly dims to around 20% of full brightness. When it senses movement again, the lighting slowly ramps up to 100% intensity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure concerns an aquarium system. In particular, thisdisclosure concerns an aquarium system including a motion sensor and alight source, and methods of use.

BACKGROUND

Aquarium systems are used for keeping live fish as pets. Aquariumsystems are desirable that allow for the visual display of fish.

One problem with aquariums is algae. Algae growth is undesirable, as itclouds the view of the fish and leads to the need for more frequentcleaning. Some aquarium systems include ways to fight algae growth, butwhile fighting algae growth, they also have the disadvantage ofstartling and stressing the fish.

Therefore, there is a need for an aquarium system that allows for thevisual display of fish, while minimizing algae growth, and withoutstartling or stressing the fish.

SUMMARY

An aquarium system is provided that improves the prior art. In examplesystems, the aquarium system will help to minimize the growth of algae;allow for the visual display of the fish; and will prevent the startlingor stressing of the fish.

In one example, an aquarium system is provided including an aquariumtank; a motion sensor adapted to sense motion within a predetermineddistance from the aquarium tank; and a light source with a controllableintensity projecting light into the aquarium tank. The intensity willvary responsive to the motion sense to by the motion sensor.

The controllable intensity can include a no-motion intensity and amotion intensity. The no-motion intensity is less than 50% of the motionintensity. The light source projects light into the aquarium tank at theno-motion intensity until motion is sensed by the motion sensor. Whenthe motion sensor senses motion, the intensity is changed from theno-motion intensity to the motion intensity for a predetermined time.

In one example, the no-motion intensity is less than 30% of the motionintensity.

In another example, the no-motion intensity is less than 25% of themotion intensity. In some examples, the light source projects whitelight.

In some examples, at the motion intensity, the light source cyclesthrough projecting light of at least two different colors.

In certain examples, at the motion intensity, the light source projectslight cycling through the colors of any of: red, green, orange, purple,blue, or pink.

In some examples, the intensity changes from no-motion intensity tomotion intensity in less than 30 seconds.

In some embodiments, the intensity changes from no-motion intensity tomotion intensity in 1-10 seconds.

In some systems, a level of the no-motion intensity and motion intensityare settable by an application executable on a mobile device.

In some systems, the predetermined distance is settable by anapplication executable on a mobile device.

In some examples, the predetermined time is settable by an applicationexecutable on a mobile device.

In some implementations, the colors of the light are settable by anapplication executable on a mobile device.

In one or more embodiments, the motion sensor is mounted above the tank.

In some examples, the light source is mounted above the tank.

In some implementations, there is a cabinet holding the tank, and thelight source is secured to the cabinet over the tank. The motion sensoris secured to the cabinet above the light source and the tank.

In a further aspect, a method of lighting an aquarium system isprovided. The method includes projecting light into an aquarium tank ata first intensity until motion is sensed within a predetermined distanceof the tank. Upon sensing motion within the predetermined distance,there is a step of increasing an intensity of the light to a secondintensity for a predetermined time.

In some example methods, the step of increasing an intensity includesincreasing the intensity to the second intensity by more than threetimes of the first intensity.

In some examples, after the step of increasing intensity, there is astep of cycling the projecting light through more than one color.

In examples that include cycling the projecting light, the step caninclude cycling the light through the colors of any of red, green,orange, purple, blue, or pink.

In some examples, the step of projecting light includes projecting whitelight.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventiveconcepts upon which the examples disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an aquarium systemconstructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a motion sensor andcomponents for use with the aquarium system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of internal components of theaquarium system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassembly throughout the several views. Reference to various examplesdoes not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally,any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to belimiting and merely set forth some of the many possible examples for theappended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates an aquarium system 10. While the aquarium system 10can be embodied in many different forms, in the example shown in FIG. 1,a cabinet 12 is provided. The cabinet 12 holds at least one, and in thisexample, several aquarium tanks 14. The cabinet 12 with the severaltanks 14 would be typical in a retail situation, such as a pet storeselling fish 15.

The aquarium system 10 further includes a motion sensor 16. The motionsensor 16 is adapted to sense motion within a predetermined distancefrom the aquarium tank 14.

The motion sensor 16 can be mounted any convenient place in which itwill detect motion within the desired predetermined distance from thetank 14. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the motion sensor 16 is mountedabove the tank 14. In particular, in the example of FIG. 1, the motionsensor 16 is secured to the cabinet 12 above all of the tanks 14. Manyother embodiments for locating the motion sensor 16 are possible.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the motion sensor 16. Manydifferent embodiments are possible. In this embodiment, the motionsensor 16 includes an outer housing 18 (shown, in this embodiment, intwo pieces 18 a and 18 b) enclosing components 20. Fasteners 22 allowthe two housing pieces 18 a and 18 b, which together form the housing 18to be removably connected together and enclose the internal components20.

The electronic parts of the internal components 20 include a motionsensor module 24. A circuit board 26 is included as part of the internalcomponents. On the circuit board 26 is a dimmer 40. The dimmer 40provides for dimming of a light source 34 (FIG. 3), and includes, inthis embodiment, a microcontroller 42 and a MOSFET 44. The MOSFET 44 isa metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. The circuit board26 also holds a wire connector 28 and a switch 30. The switch 30 isusable to control the dimmer 40.

The internal components 20 also include fasteners 32 for holding themotion sensor module 24 and circuit board 26 in place within the housing18.

In accordance with principles of this disclosure, the system 10 furtherincludes light source 34 (FIG. 3). The light source 34 has acontrollable intensity projecting light into the aquarium tank 14. Theintensity varies responsive to motion sensed to by the motion sensor 16.

The light source 34 can be standard, white light. In other situations,the light source 34 can project light of different colors, as explainedfurther below.

In reference now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a portion of thesystem 10 is illustrated. The view in FIG. 3 is of an upper portion ofthe cabinet 12 of FIG. 1. A door 36 is shown pivoted from the closedposition of FIG. 1 to the open position of FIG. 3. When the door 36 ispivoted to its open position, the light source 34 is visible within thecabinet 12. The light source 34 is mounted in the cabinet 12 in aposition to be above the aquarium tanks 14 such that they project lightdownwardly into the tanks 14. The motion sensor 16 can be seen securedto the cabinet 12 above both the light source 34 and the tanks 14. Thelight source 34 is illustrated, in this embodiment, between the tanks 14and the motion sensor 16.

Also visible in FIG. 3 is a surface skimmer 38, located in each tank 14.The surface skimmer 38 is useful for maintaining water clarity.

In accordance with principles of this disclosure, the controllableintensity of the light source 34 includes at least two intensities: afirst, or “no-motion” intensity; and a second, or “motion” intensity.The first, or no-motion, intensity is typically less than 50% of thesecond, or motion, intensity. The light source 34 projects light intothe aquarium tank 14 at the no-motion intensity until motion is sensedby the motion sensor 16. When the motion sensor 16 senses motion, theintensity is changed from the first (no-motion) intensity to the second(motion) intensity for a predetermined time. The predetermined time canbe a matter of a few minutes, such as 15 minutes or less, including 5minutes or less, or 1 minute or less; or anywhere from 5-20 minutes. Thepredetermined time can be adjusted to be a desired time by the personowning the system 10.

After sensing movement by the motion sensor 16, the light source 34would be on at the second (motion) intensity at a 100%. After someperiod of no movement, e.g. about a minute, the intensity of the lightsource 34 slowly dims to less than 30% of the second intensity, forexample less than 25%, and in many examples to about 20% of its fullbrightness at the second intensity. When it senses movement again, theintensity of the light source 34 slowly ramps up to 100 percent. Byincreasing and decreasing the intensity or brightness of the lightsource 34 slowly, the fish are not stressed or startled. In addition,this can contribute to substantial energy savings. Further, itconsiderably minimizes algae growth, therefore reducing requiredmaintenance on the system 10.

In many examples, the intensity changes from the first (no-motion)intensity to the second (motion) intensity in less than 30 seconds. Forexample, the intensity can change from no-motion intensity to motionintensity in 1-10 seconds.

As mentioned previously, the light source 34 can project white light;alternatively, it may cycle through projecting light of at least twodifferent colors. For example, the light source 34 can project lightcycling through the colors of any or all of: red, green, orange, purple,blue, or pink. In certain applications, the color of the light canhighlight the appearance of the aquatic animals or fish.

Certain selective parameters can be settable by an applicationexecutable on a mobile device. These selected parameters can include anyone or all of: the brightness or intensity of the light source 34; thepredetermined distance detectable by the motion sensor 16; thepredetermined time that the light is on in the second (motion) levelintensity; and the particular colors of the light. In addition, theseparameters can be settable as part of a connected aquarium as describedin PCT Publication WO 2017/015359, Application PCT/US2016/043120, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The system 10 can be used as a part of a method of lighting an aquariumsystem. The method includes projecting light into an aquarium tank 14 atthe first intensity until motion is sensed within a predetermineddistance of the tank. For example, the predetermined distance can be afew feet such as 10 feet or less. In other examples, the predetermineddistance can be 0-5 feet; or 0-2 feet.

Upon sensing motion within the predetermined distance, the methodincludes increasing the intensity of the light to the second intensityfor a predetermined time.

The step of increasing the intensity can include increasing theintensity to the second intensity by more than three times the firstintensity.

The step of increasing the intensity can include cycling the projectinglight through more than one color. The step of cycling the projectinglight can include cycling the light through colors of any or all of:red, green, orange, purple, blue, or pink.

The step of projecting light can further include projecting white light.

The above represents example principles. Many embodiments can be madeusing these principles.

I claim:
 1. An aquarium system comprising: (a) an aquarium tank; (b) amotion sensor adapted to sense motion within a predetermined distancefrom the aquarium tank; and (c) a light source with a controllableintensity projecting light into the aquarium tank; the intensity varyingresponsive to motion sensed by the motion sensor.
 2. The system of claim1 wherein: (a) the controllable intensity includes a no-motion intensityand a motion intensity; (i) the no-motion intensity being less than 50%of the motion intensity; (ii) the light source projecting light into theaquarium tank at the no-motion intensity until motion is sensed by themotion sensor; and (iii) when the motion sensor senses motion, theintensity is changed from the no-motion intensity to the motionintensity for a predetermined time.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein theno-motion intensity is less than 30% of the motion intensity.
 4. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein the no-motion intensity is less than 25% ofthe motion intensity.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the light sourceprojects white light.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein, at the motionintensity, the light source cycles through projecting light of at leasttwo different colors.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein at the motionintensity, the light source projects light cycling through the colors ofany of: red, green, orange, purple, blue, or pink.
 8. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the intensity changes from no-motion intensity to motionintensity in less than 30 seconds.
 9. The system of claim 2 wherein theintensity changes from no-motion intensity to motion intensity in 1-10seconds.
 10. The system of claim 2 wherein a level of the no-motionintensity and motion intensity are settable by an application executableon a mobile device.
 11. The system of claim 2 wherein the predetermineddistance is settable by an application executable on a mobile device.12. The system of claim 2 wherein the predetermined time is settable byan application executable on a mobile device.
 13. The system of claim 6wherein the colors of the light are settable by an applicationexecutable on a mobile device.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein themotion sensor is mounted above the tank.
 15. The system of claim 1wherein the light source is mounted above the tank.
 16. The system ofclaim 1 further including a cabinet holding the tank, and wherein thelight source is secured to the cabinet over the tank, and the motionsensor is secured to the cabinet above the light source and the tank.17. A method of lighting an aquarium system comprising: (a) projectinglight into an aquarium tank at a first intensity until motion is sensedwithin a predetermined distance of the tank; and (b) upon sensing motionwithin the predetermined distance, increasing an intensity of the lightto a second intensity for a predetermined time.
 18. The method of claim17 wherein the step of increasing an intensity includes increasing theintensity to the second intensity by more than 3 times of the firstintensity.
 19. The method of claim 17 further including, after the stepof increasing an intensity, cycling the projecting light through morethan one color.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of cyclingthe projecting light includes cycling the light through the colors ofany of red, green, orange, purple, blue, or pink.
 21. The method ofclaim 17 wherein the step of projecting light includes projecting whitelight.